Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

CREW-CUTS, The

Canadian vocal group. Lineup: Rudi Maugeri (b 21 Jan. '31; d 14 May 2004), Pat Barrett (b 15 Sep. '33), John Perkins (b 28 Aug. '31), Ray Perkins (b 28 Nov. '32). Formed '52 from Toronto Cathedral School Choir, inspired by the Four Lads, who came from the same school. At first the Canadaires; they changed their name early '54 (the haircut was not a crew cut but a 'Chicago box': cropped on top, longer at sides). Their vocal style of barbershop harmony was influenced by R&B; their first break was an appearance on the Gene Carroll TV show '54, Cleveland; they were signed by Mercury, had a top ten hit 'Crazy 'Bout You Baby' (written by Maugeri), and then started a rash of covers of songs by black groups: 'Sh-Boom' '54 was a no. 1 hit, one of the top five records of the year (the original by the Chords was better music, reached no. 9 pop, no. 3 R&B: see entries for them and for Rock). The Crew-Cuts carried on with 'Earth Angel'/'Ko Ko Mo (I Love You So)' and 'Gum Drop', all top ten pop hits '55 (the Penguins' original 'Earth Angel' made no. 8 pop, no. 1 R&B). In all they had eleven top 40 hits '54-7. To RCA '58, other labels; broke up '63 when Maugeri decided not to tour Japan. In '82 he was vice-president of Radio Arts Syndication on West Coast.